Dodge Flat Head 1946 For $100.00?

[donh97]

I have a chance to buy a Flat Head engine out of about a 46 two ton Dodge truck. I just bought a 54 or 55 Dodge Route Van that's been parked for decades. In fact the license plate is a 1957. Seller didn't know anything about the mechanical condition but the body is rough. Very complete, but rough. And it has an engine but i haven't had time to check it out though. I can buy this other engine for $100. Isn't that a really good price for a flat head Dodge engine? I've heard it turn over but it hasn't been started either. Someone holler back with an opinion, OK? Dying to get going on this Route Van. Don

[48Dodger]

Hard to say without pictures etc.....but if it checks out...I can't see how 100 bucks is to much.

 

 

48D 

[Looznutz]

If it turns over ck Oil, if it has oil and it looks clean connect a battery and do a compression test in all the cylinders that should give you an idea of what the engine is worth to you.

[MBF]

I scrapped a junk engine last year and got about $30.00 for it.  I had pretty much stripped it of any useful parts.  If it isn't running you won't know what you've got until you open it up.  Offer him half, and tell him what it'll bring in scrap and go from there.

[Merle Coggins]

First off, I believe that Route Van is a 48-'50 model, or did they not change the grills on those models?. Either way, Good find... Love those things...

I believe $100 for a sound engine is about right. I sold one that ran for $150 and one that cranked over, but I didn't get it running, for $100. Both of those were 218's. I think the engine that you found may be a 25" or larger engine if came from a 2 Tonner. You may have fitment issues in your Route Van. If you are determined enough I'm sure you can make it fit, but it won't be a direct replacement.

 

Merle 

Edited March 1, 2013 by Merle Coggins

[donh97]

Thanks for your input guys. Believe ill buy it. Don't know what I might need off it if I don't use the whole thing. And, what's left can be sold for scrap is I want to. Thanks again, Don

[Young Ed]

Look at the wheels on that Route Van. It might be heavy enough to have come with the bigger engine. If you really want to check you'll need to measure head length on both engines.

[donh97]

OK, I just measured & the DRV engine is 22" but the other is 25". So, on second thought, I maybe should pass on the larger engine & rebuild what I have. According to data plate which I can barely read, my engine is 87.5 HP net, & 99 HP gross & 3600 rpm.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Your Route van is a "DU' series 1 ton model -lighter duty of the two models of Route vans. It has six lug nut wheels. The bigger model "EU" a 1-1/2 tonner has five big lug nut wheels and has the IRS rear suspension also. Both models use the smaller 23" 218/230 engine. Good luck with your very rare project!

Edited March 2, 2013 by Dodgeb4ya

[donh97]

Thanks Dodgeb4ya - great help. IRS rear suspension, mine appears to be that because there's a small drive shaft on each side going to the rear wheels. I couldn't believe it. And this DRV is the only one I've seen in person. Eager to get started!! It sure looks better with tires on it too.

[austinsailor]

If you do turn the engine over to check compression change the oil first. Most likely the bottom several inches is water and crud after all these years. Seen it before. Oil looks good, nearly new, on the dipstick, but it's had years for the crud and water to settle.

 

Cool truck. I'd get that in a heartbeat. Looks like it has tow bar mounts already on the front, just stick something on them and go!

[Desotodav]

That's a great looking route van Don. I haven't seen any like that here in the land of Oz. I have seen an very cool looking old Morris van called 'Bread Sled' running around at a few of our shows (see attached photo). What's your plans for your van - going the patina look or the fully restored look?

 

Desotodav

[donh97]

Austinsailor, thanks a ton for reminding me to change the oil. I might have done it but I'm pretty excited about this truck, & eager to check the engine out. Tow bar tabs, yes, which will stay there till its up & running well. I bought a 6 volt battery today from a guy who bought it new 19th of this month. He was done with it because he only bought it to check out the 25" engine I was looking at. i'll probably convert this truck to 12 volt but not before I check out the engine. Thanks again for your interest in protecting me from my urgency to get going!! Don

If it weren't for old trucks I'd have money today, but instead of money, I have old trucks so I'm RICH!!

[Dodgeb4ya]

Thanks Dodgeb4ya - great help. IRS rear suspension, mine appears to be that because there's a small drive shaft on each side going to the rear wheels. I couldn't believe it. And this DRV is the only one I've seen in person. Eager to get started!! It sure looks better with tires on it too.

I'm was kinda suprised yours has the IRS rear end as your pics show a 1 ton "DU" suspension under your route van! The parts books show the EU as the IRS rear end and thats what I have seen on 2 of the big EU's in a wrecking yard .  I looked in the shop manual deeper and see that the smaller DU is a swing axle too with the 1 ton pumpkin.Does your model tag show it as a DU? I have only seen maybe 5 or so RV's in person myself over the last 30 years. Where did they all go? I'd love to see more of them get restored.

Bob

Edited March 2, 2013 by Dodgeb4ya

[donh97]

Desotodave, that's a good looking blue pickup there you have! And thanks for adding the pictures. I do love these delivery trucks. I'll show my ignorance, where is oz? I don't know for sure what I'm going to do with the van. The patina look is very popular now but the ones restored and painted white really appeal to me. I'll find a pic of one.

I'm retired but still busy with stuff like most of us are. In fact I have a small company that sells old recycled books that I cut the center from with an air over hydraulic press using a very sharp die. My company is called HideyBook and I'm thinking of making a HideyBookMobile to use in selling books to folks who need to conceal small objects in "Plain sight".

[Desotodav]

The HideyBookMobile company vehicle would be the best looking company vehicle on the road if that were the case!

Thanks for the compliment on my truck - I am happy with how the blue 52 truck came out. I am in Brisbane Australia mate.

I can't wait to see your route van done - perhaps start a build post to keep it all in one place? IMO, Take it slow and do it right!

 

Desotodav

[ggdad1951]

I too am looking forward to your route van rebuild I heartily will agree that you should run ONE thread on your build, keeping it all in one place.  I wish I had.

[donh97]

OK, looks like I gotta run a thread on my rebuild. I'm happy to do it & will begin when I figure out how. Heck, I've already got pics for it because I loaded it up at the "junk yard", hauled it home, put new used tires on it & now it's on the trailer waiting for me to finish the RV that I'm working on that's sitting where the DRV needs to sit.

My problem right now is that in my main covered work area the roof is too low for this truck so I'm gonna have to start out side. Of course I have quite a lot of metal "bumping" to do on fenders which I'll take off & bring inside anyway. I got a new 6 volt battery & I gotta buy plugs points wires condenser & change the oil before I attempt to start it. I'm gonna pull the old plugs out right away (after I clean the engine & compartment) & squirt Marvel Mystery Oil in on the pistons so it can start working.......... Oh boy, here I go! God I love this!!!